Connecting the community to health

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Eunice McKinney
5 years ago
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1 Engage Connecting the community to health Spring/Summer 2018

New Messaging Encourages Patients to Ask Us Anything... Readers may have noticed a new initiative started by the staff at Howard Memorial Hospital, the Ask Me Anything campaign.

of all ages. We want the community to have the utmost confidence in Howard Memorial Hospital, says Alesha Collins, Chief Nursing Officer at Howard Memorial Hospital.

2 New Messaging Encourages Patients to Ask Us Anything... Readers may have noticed a new initiative started by the staff at Howard Memorial Hospital, the Ask Me Anything campaign. Designed to encourage patients and prospective patients to learn all they can about HMH as well as feel comfortable asking their providers anything, this campaign is gaining traction among patients of all ages. We want the community to have the utmost confidence in Howard Memorial Hospital, says Alesha Collins, Chief Nursing Officer at Howard Memorial Hospital. Our hope is that with this campaign, it will open up lines of communication and give medical professionals the opportunity to educate the community. Howard CEO Debra Wright agrees. I hope the community will consider us a resource for healthcare education and information about our services, she says. We have so much to offer, and I hope the community will take advantage of this campaign. Asked and answered The idea to help patients feel more comfortable asking questions is not a new one. We have received a lot of the same questions, says Alesha. So it makes sense to address as many of these as we can, to ensure the confidence and faith of the community in Howard Memorial Hospital, says Alesha. Everything we do, says Alesha. Every decision we make at the hospital is with the community in mind. We always think How will this help the community? How can we make Howard Memorial Hospital the best it can be? That mission to provide our community with the best is always at the forefront. l 2 Engage

Q. Can I have my surgery performed at Howard Memorial Hospital? Q. Yes!

Just ask! What kinds of specialty services are available at HMH?

all services available at Howard Memorial Hospital. Q. What does a hospitalist do?

They are here to coordinate your care; communicate with you, your loved ones, and

hospital stay time. Q. Why do I have to wait so long in the ER? Q. What s the difference between observation and inpatient?

It is important to know that the ER is for emergency situations: broken bones,

critical issues. The difference is in how the insurance is billed.

require that you be admitted or held for observation.

3 Q. Can I have my surgery performed at Howard Memorial Hospital? Q. Yes! We offer many surgical options from general surgery to cataracts and more. Just ask! What kinds of specialty services are available at HMH? Cardiology, dermatology, OB/GYN, pediatrics, oncology/hematology, and urology are all services available at Howard Memorial Hospital. Q. What does a hospitalist do? Hospitalists are essential to providing our patients with the best possible care. They are here to coordinate your care; communicate with you, your loved ones, and your primary care doctor; and provide personalized care that often reduces hospital stay time. Q. Why do I have to wait so long in the ER? Q. What s the difference between observation and inpatient? We do everything we can to get you treated as soon as possible. It is important to know that the ER is for emergency situations: broken bones, bleeding that won t stop, chest pains, and difficulty breathing, among other critical issues. The difference is in how the insurance is billed. HMH uses evidence-based criteria that will determine if your diagnosis should require that you be admitted or held for observation. Typically, observation is for hours and then the patient is discharged; the patient never sees any difference in the care they receive.

4 HMH is Here for Cancer Patients Satellite clinic helps keep care local Cancer is a thief. It can steal control, money, and precious time. BJ Mabery and her husband Tracy learned this all too well throughout Tracy s five year battle with cancer. When Tracy found out he had multiple myeloma, a type of cancer originating in plasma cells, the most remarkable consequence of the diagnosis was seemingly mundane: Cancer disrupts your routines, explains BJ. My husband is a logging contractor, used to making the rules. But cancer took that away. BJ explains that the shift from being a leader at work to being driven around by his wife for cancer treatments was difficult for Tracy. During the early days of the diagnosis, BJ and Tracy traveled daily to Hot Springs for radiation about an hour drive. After radiation, they had weekly appointments for chemo. The drive began to take its toll on BJ and Tracy. Missing work was a challenge for both of them and the time spent driving was adding up. Luckily, a solution arose. Dr. Roy Webb began a hematology and oncology satellite clinic at Howard Memorial Hospital. Together with Tracy s oncologist, he determined that Tracy could see him on alternating weeks. The travel was cut in half, says BJ. Tracy could just park his log truck, I could get him to Dr. Webb, and it was all done very quickly. It wasn t the big interruption to the day that trips to Hot Springs were. BJ & Tracy Mabery Howard Memorial Hospital has been there for us in so many ways. I probably couldn t tell you all the different ways they ve made a difference, but they ve been a blessing to us for sure. -BJ Mabery Even before Tracy was able to get treatment in Nashville from Dr. Webb, BJ says that Howard Memorial Hospital had done a lot for her and her husband. During the early days of radiation, my husband was so ill he needed to be on IV fluids, says BJ. Well, there was bad weather during that time and we couldn t make it to Hot Springs. They called in orders to Howard Memorial Hospital and Tracy was able to get the fluids there so he wouldn t be suffering so much. That meant a lot to me, says BJ. These days Tracy is no longer receiving chemo and is doing pretty well, reports BJ. He s been a trooper, she says. l 4 Engage

Specialty Services Options close to home Debra Wright, CEO Howard Memorial Hospital has always prided itself on providing comprehensive, patientfocused, inpatient, outpatient, and emergency care.

With our commitment to bringing our community the best, HMH is proud to announce big plans with our specialist program.

5 Specialty Services Options close to home Debra Wright, CEO Howard Memorial Hospital has always prided itself on providing comprehensive, patientfocused, inpatient, outpatient, and emergency care. In each of our service areas, we remain dedicated to friendly, highquality care and state-of-the-art medical technology. This is both a legacy that gives us pride as well as our goal for the future. With our commitment to bringing our community the best, HMH is proud to announce big plans with our specialist program. We have a robust list of specialty services at Howard Memorial Hospital, says Debra Wright, CEO. This includes an ophthalmologist on staff who performs cataract surgeries. Other specialists conducting satellite clinics in Nashville are three cardiologists, an OB/GYN, pediatrician, urologist, dermatologist and a medical oncologist/hematologist. Plans for the future The expansion of specialty services is a large component of HMH s strategic plan. We are optimistic about where our program is heading, says Debra. We have seen growth in our ED, inpatient volume, and outpatient services. This is an indication of a growing need for services, says Debra. We plan to construct an Outpatient Services Center that will allow for this growth. We are going to continue to research ways to better serve our community, adds Alesha Collins, Chief Nursing Officer at Howard Memorial Hospital. Bringing more resources closer to home will help our patients in so many ways It will decrease wear and tear on your car, and yourself. When you aren t feeling well, you don t need a long ride to and from the doctor. The care at home We hope to raise more awareness for specialty physicians who currently have satellite clinics here in Nashville, says Debra. As a critical access hospital, we are limited by space and financial constraints to grow services so having specialists conduct satellite clinics fills a void for our patients. We truly offer quality care close to home that meets your medical specialty needs, says Alesha. There isn t a need to travel outside of Nashville for your follow-up appointment or chemotherapy. It s great for patients to not have to worry about traveling a long way. l Did you know? These services are currently available through HMH: Oncology Dermatology Cardiology Obstetrics/Gynecology Pediatrics Nephrology HowardMemorial.com 5

6 Bereavement Support Group a Comfort to Participants Inaugural group finds its way at HMH 6 Engage

If there is one thing that Deb Wallis, leader of the Bereavement Support Group at Howard Memorial Hospital has learned throughout her career, it s this: We all grieve differently.

7 If there is one thing that Deb Wallis, leader of the Bereavement Support Group at Howard Memorial Hospital has learned throughout her career, it s this: We all grieve differently. It s not cut and dried, she says. None of our grief looks the same. What might work for one person may not be helpful to another. When we are struck with a loss, we may be surrounded with good friends who have good intentions, but those things may not be enough. Making sense of grief and learning to continue living are challenges most of us will have to face in our lifetimes. For the first time, HMH has offered a bereavement support group. In addition to being a school counselor, Deb has her LPC license which allows her to practice in a clinical setting. After retiring from school counseling, she began filling in PRN for the counselor on staff at Compass Behavioral Health. I like working PRN because it gives me plenty of time to spend with my grandchildren. After being approached about starting a group for grief, I thought about it, prayed about it and decided to do it. Debra Wright, the CEO, is very proactive in finding ways to help our community. She knew that there was a real need for this kind of group. A lot of older women in particular seemed to be struggling with grief. I lost my husband 11 years ago, so I have some experience with this topic. While I am certainly no expert, I have been blessed to have people along the way who taught me many things. The goals of the group are straightforward but essential for those who are grieving. These include: Validation of reactions to grief Time away from the loneliness that often comes with grief Suggestions for coping with grief Of her pilot group, Deb says, They are a real congenial group, they get along great, and I think they have all benefited from it. Deb says that she s planned each meeting around the stages of grief as identified by Elisabeth Kubler Ross. We tell our stories, talk in general, and then each week we focus on one of the stages as a topic, explains Deb. It s been fulfilling on my part, and I hope that it s helped my members. -Deb Wallis As well as processing grief, Deb makes sure there is an activity each week as well as a spotlight on something new and different members may want to try. The group is not for everyone, Deb cautions. You won t benefit if you feel you re being forced to be there. But for those who want to be there, it s a very good resource. To inquire about this program and/or to register for the next session, please contact Donna Jones at Classes will be held Mondays from 4pm to 5pm at the Compass Behavioral Health Building on the Howard Memorial Hospital Campus. These classes are free to the participants. HowardMemorial.com 7

8 NONPROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID MAIL HAUS 130 Medical Circle Nashville, AR This publication in no way seeks to diagnose or treat illness or to serve as a substitute for professional medical care. Please see your physician if you have a health problem. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced, in whole or in part, without permission from the publisher. HowardMemorial.com facebook.com/howardmemorial Travel Medicine Services at HMH Whether it s an international trip for business or pleasure, a mission trip, a study abroad program, or a cruise to a far-off locale, our clinic offers services to minimize your risk of illness. We offer: Pre-travel consultation services: To review your medical history, offer advice on reducing the risks of diseases associated with your destinations, educate you about information from the CDC, and provide contact information for consulates and United States Embassies in the countries you will visit. Prescriptions: We will also provide prescriptions for travelers diarrhea, jet lag, motion sickness, altitude sickness, malaria and oral typhoid, if applicable. Post-travel consultation services: Including a physical, upon your return. Vaccinations: We will help you meet travel vaccination requirements. Note: Insurance coverage for travel medicine visits and prescriptions varies so please check directly with your medical insurance carrier for details. Self-pay pricing options are also available. Please contact the clinic at to learn more or to schedule your pretravel consultation.

Howard Memorial Hospital. Community Needs Assessment Summary

Howard Memorial Hospital. Community Needs Assessment Summary Howard Memorial Hospital Community Needs Assessment Summary May 2013 Design and Purpose of the Survey Howard Memorial Hospital conducted a community needs assessment. Focus of the study was two-fold. First,